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Molina takes home Wilson defensive honor

Molina takes home Wilson defensive honor

9/20/12: Yadier Molina throws behind the runner to catch Jose Altuve off first base in the fourth inning

By Jenifer Langosch
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MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- Yadier Molina continues to collect defensive honors, the latest coming Sunday night when Wilson Sporting Goods named Molina the top defensive player on the Cardinals for 2012.

This marks the first season that Wilson has handed out Defensive Player of the Year Awards. The sporting goods company selected the best defensive player on each club, as well as the league's best defender and the Majors' best defensive team. The league honors went to outfielders Michael Bourn (Braves) and Mike Trout (Angels). Atlanta was chosen as the top defensive team in 2012.

According to a release by MLB Network, which televised the award show, "winners were determined by the detailed statistical analysis of the Network's 'shredder system' used by [its statistical television series] Clubhouse Confidential, plus input from MLB Network analysts."

For Molina, the individual honor is one of several he's already piled up this offseason. He earned the Fielding Bible Award for best defensive catcher by a unanimous vote. A few days later, Rawlings named Molina its National League Gold Glove catcher for the fifth straight season.

Molina is currently competing for the Platinum Glove Award as well, an honor given to the player voted as the league's top defender. Molina was the Platinum Glove winner in 2011.

He also may be nominated for a GIBBY (Greatness in Baseball Yearly) Award, which MLB.com hands out annually. This year's GIBBY Awards feature nominees in 21 categories. Individual honors will go to the MLB MVP, in addition to the year's best starting pitcher, hitter, closer, setup man, rookie, breakout hitter, breakout pitcher, comeback player, defensive player, manager, executive and postseason performer.

GIBBY trophies also will be awarded for the year's top play, storyline, hitting performance, pitching performance, oddity, walk-off, Cut4 topic and postseason moment, from MLB.com's Must C highlight reels.

The list of GIBBY nominees will be unveiled in the coming days, and winners will be presented their GIBBY trophies at the MLB.com Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards extravaganza during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 4.